Magnificent India

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Namaste & welcome to India! Arrive at Indira Gandhi International airport at T-3 and met by our representative at airport, transfer straight to your accommodations and check in for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi

Drive through Lutyen’s Delhi, then stop for photos at India Gate and Parliament Buildings. Continue to Gandhi Smriti (Gandhi photo exhibit), Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar (victory tower started by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak in 1199AD upon becoming Delhi’s sultan). In the evening, indulge in the festivities of the Festival of Lights in Diwali continuing late into the night before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Delhi

Begin your tour exploring the Old Town of Shahjahanabad, then visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid (largest Indian mosque). Enjoy a paddle rickshaw ride through old Delhi Bazaars then visit Raj Ghat (Gandhi’s cremation site). Return to your hotel in the evening to relax and unwind before an overnight stay.

Day 4: Varanasi

This morning fly to Varanasi, sitting on a bend of the Ganges. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel before an evening visit to the ghats (bathing steps) to witness the intriguing ‘Aarti’ Ceremony (collective prayer) before an overnight stay.

Day 5: Varanasi

Take an early boat ride to see pilgrims gathering on the Ghats bathe then take a boat ride on the river Ganges. Later visit, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Banaras Hindu University, and Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon. An overnight stay follows.

Day 6: Varanasi

Pay a visit to a traditional akhada (muddy ‘gyms’ where local men go to train using crude equipment). Return to hotel for breakfast then explore the hidden aspects of Varanasi with a local storyteller. Later in evening, enjoy a silk weaving demonstration before an overnight stay.

Day 7: Delhi/Agra

Fly to Delhi then drive to Agra for hotel check-in and an overnight stay.

Day 8: Bharatpur

At sunrise, proceed to Taj Mahal on decorated horse driven carriages. Built out of white marble by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, Taj was erected by 20,000 laborers over a 12-year period. Later pay a visit to Agra fort and drive to Bharatpur for hotel check-in and an overnight stay.

Day 9: Bharatpur

Enjoy an escorted visit to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary by paddle rickshaws; as you paddle down into the sanctuary, every corner has something to capture. Return to hotel then pay a visit to a local school before an overnight stay.

Day 10: Ranthambore National Park

This morning drive to Ranthambhore, the famous habitat of elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, for a documentary on Indian wildlife and Royal Bengal tiger. Dinner at the lodge and an overnight stay to follow.

Day 11: Ranthambore National Park

The park ranges from rolling hills, grassland, bush and woods, rivers and lakes and is very picturesque. Morning and afternoon game drives via jeep accompanied by a naturalist before lunch and dinner at the lodge and an overnight stay.

Day 12: Jaipur

Morning drive to Jaipur (first planned Indian city). The city was painted pink to honor the visit of Prince Albert of England in 1882. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel before an overnight stay.

Day 13: Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel before a morning drive to Amber’s hilltop fortress. After ascending the fort via elephant, tour its chambers and hallways, famed for the excellence of its design. Afterward proceed to Dera Amer camp for lunch then take photos at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and visit the City Palace Museum before an overnight stay.
For an additional fee, there is an optional extension that adds 9 more wonderful days and nights onto this trip! If you are unable to do so, then you will depart on day 14.

Day 14: Pushkar

Drive to Pushkar (Hindu pilgrimage town), which curls around a holy lake, said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. Check into the hotel then proceed to Pushkar Festival (the world’s largest cattle and camel fair) leading up to the full moon in the holy month of Kartika. We spent few hours roaming amid colorful turbans and examples of regional dress before an overnight stay.

Day 15: Pushkar

A full day at the fair for more great photography opportunities and visits to the money stalls selling souvenirs to the many tourists like ourselves, who come to gawk, before an overnight stay.

Day 16: Jodhpur

Travel in the morning to Jodhpur, at the base of Mehrangarh Fort, where the clock tower markets are always abuzz. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and later return for an overnight stay.

Day 17: Jodhpur/Osian/Jodhpur

An off-road adventure through the semi-arid desert of Rajasthan ends in Osian, where uniformed butlers will hand out cold towels and beverages. Mount camels to ride into the dunes and surrounding villages. You will meet Bishnois, who have protected nature for over 500 years, and have the opportunity to enter their homes and witness their colorful lifestyle.
Later, enjoy a meal before returning to Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort. Visit with an astrologer in the courtyard before an overnight stay.

Day 18: Udaipur

Drive to Udaipur and enroute, visit the famous Jain temples of Ranakpur. Udaipur has a romance of setting unmatched in Rajasthan and arguably in all India. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Evening will be at leisure before an overnight stay.

Day 19: Udaipur

Visit City Palace, a conglomeration of buildings that manage to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Continue to the world’s first silver museum at Amar Mahal then visit Crystal Gallery with its rare collection of Osler’s crystal ordered from England in 1877. Culminate the tour with a visit to a private car collection. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure. At sunset you proceed on a cruise over Lake Pichola for fabulous vistas of the City Palace and Old City on one side and the setting sun behind the Aravalis on the other before an overnight stay.

Day 20: Mumbai

Transfer to airport for your flight to Mumbai then arrive at your hotel. Visit Mani Bhawan (Gandhi Museum) then visit Dhobi Ghats. Each morning, Mumbai’s laundry is processed before returning to its owners.
Next witness the Dabba-wallahs (lunchbox runs), and learn how 200,000 identical canisters are transported to offices around town.
The day culminates at The Princes of Wales Museum, established during the early 20th century, and considered a heritage structure in Mumbai because of its admirable architecture. An overnight stay follows.

Day 21: Mumbai

Today will be at your leisure. A motorboat excursion to Elephanta Island, a walk through Crawford Market, exploring religious sites, visiting Worli Fort and its fishing villages, or the Bhau Daji Lad Museum are some options. An overnight stay follows.

Day 22: Mumbai

Today we explore Bollywood at a specially created studio with behind-the-scenes peeks. Later, arrive at Bollywood Museum’s air-conditioned dance hall with decorated stage and music system in true Bollywood style. Watch 3-4 live Bollywood dance shows, drive past the homes of famous stars before viewing a current Bollywood movie at the cinema. Return for an overnight stay.

Day 23: Departure

Board a flight for onward journey.
This trip does not include the following: Airfare, Insurance, Personal expenses, Tips, Laundry, Telephone, Beverages etc.
Pricing is TBD.
Specific itineraries are subject to change. Please contact us for more details including upgrade options along with terms and conditions today!

Why choose our adventures over other options?
We limit the number of people in safari vehicles to maximize both comfort and the opportunity to take some amazing photographs.
Drivers are not limited to a specific route. We go where the action is and we don’t have to return on a pre-determined schedule.
You have an expert leading the safari who is extremely knowledgable of the best areas to maximize your experience.
Photographic opportunities are always available if you want to digitally capture your experience.
We have fun!

Note:
When paying via credit card for this safari, please be aware that there will be an additional 3.5% credit card processing fee charged.

If paying via check, we will provide our mailing address upon contact with you and the amount payable via check is listed below. You will not be charged any additional fee when paying by check.

Please be prepared to provide the following information for each registrant: First/Last Name, Cell Phone Number, Email Address, and anything else that we should know.

We look forward to seeing you soon!